The Department of Traditional Affairs, led by the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi PP Maubane and the Director-General, Dr Muzamane Charles Nwaila, visited the two kings in Mpumalanga, namely King Makhosonke II (King Makhosoke Enock Mabena) and King Mabhoko III (King Mbusi Mahlangu) to inform them about the Presidential Siyahlola Programme. The Siyahlola visit will take place this Friday, 10 June 2016, at Kwaggafontein in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, which falls under the Nkangala District Municipality, in Mpumalanga Province.
Dr. Nwaila says the visit is part of the custom that when government is going to an area that falls under traditional leadership, he/she must be informed through a delegation prior to the visit. The visit of the President Zuma to the Municipality was necessitated by the President’s walk-about and interactions with commuters on 08 February 2016, at the Marabastad railway station in Pretoria.
Here the President received complaints regarding service delivery in the Thembisile Municipality. Those who interacted with the President raised a number of issues requiring government’s interventions, including the shortage of water, substance abuse and other related challenges. The President then committed to visiting Kwaggafontein to see for himself the state of service delivery in the area.
Both Kings have accepted and appreciated the gesture and the information regarding the Siyahlola Programme. They were grateful that government is working in partnership with them to develop their communities. They also pledged to fully support government in this endeavor.
They requested that proper Spatial Planning take place in order to allocate residential sites for their communities, to avoid the current spate of land invasions. The Thembisile Hani Municipality has four traditional councils, with two kingships, that have a role to play as the leaders of various constituencies in the area.
Enquiries:
Tsakani Baloyi
Cell: 082 052 0892
Enquiries:
Legadima Leso
COGTA Head of Communications
Cell: 083 378 9495
